Firebirds hold off Crush, 59-56
May 16, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
Colorado Crush kicker Anthony Brenner's 23-yard field goal with :18 second remaining sailed wide left and the Indiana Firebirds held on for a 59-56 victory in front of 10,858 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon. The win gives the Firebirds a season sweep of the Crush and leaves Indiana within playoff reach entering their final game of the season, next week in Chicago.
Nestle Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game Adrian McPherson threw eight touchdown passes to five different Indiana receivers and rushed for 18 yards in the win. OS Anthony Hines and WR/DB Jordan Younger (US Army Ironman of the Game) combined for 9 catches for 164 yards and five touchdowns between them, while Brett Bech, Andy McCullough and Evan Hlavacek each recorded touchdown receptions for the Firebirds.
Colorado QB John Dutton threw for 316 yards and six touchdowns in the loss and WR/DB Kevin McKenzie hauled in a game-high nine passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
The two teams combined for 23 penalties. The Crush were flagged twelve times for 93 yards and Indiana eleven times for 47 yards. Both teams entered halftime tied 28-28 and the Firebirds came out and scored on their fifth play of the third quarter took a 35-28 lead. Colorado obtained their first lead of the game when fullback John Peaua ran for a 1-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter, giving the Crush a 42-38 edge entering the final stanza.
Both teams exchanged scores for the fourth quarter before McCullough reeled in a 21-yard scoring toss from McPherson to put the Firebirds ahead for good with :55 second to play in the game, 59-56.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 16, 2004
- Nash sets AFL record in Gladiators fourth straight win - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Gladiators hand SaberCats second straight loss - San Jose SaberCats
- Orlando smacks Austin, playoffs in sight - Orlando Predators
- Last-second win clinches playoff berth for Rush - Chicago Rush
- Predators take down Dragons, 43-26 - Austin Wranglers
- Dragons Slip Up Against Avengers - New York Dragons
- Firebirds hold off Crush, 59-56 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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